Mom died. What do I do now?

What do I do when a parent or loved one passes away? The probate process in Huntsville, Alabama will depend on whether or not your loved one had a Last Will and Testament, what assets and debts they had, and how they owned their assets.  In the midst of your grief are a lot of questions about what to do and how to manage your parent or spouse’s legacy, their “things” and their memories. 

Attorney Tanya Hendrix at Huntsville Estate Planning Lawyer, LLC can guide you step by step through the probate process whether there is a will or not a will.  She will:

1. prepare the necessary paperwork to file to open an estate
2. explain estate administration
3. explain how to manage the estate
4. explain what to do with estate assets such as bank accounts and how to transfer property

What is “Probate” or an “Estate Administration?”

Estate administration, also knows as “probate,” refers to the process of managing and distributing the assets and affairs of a deceased person, known as the decedent. It involves settling the person’s financial obligations, ensuring that their assets are properly valued and distributed to the rightful beneficiaries or heirs, and handling any legal and administrative tasks associated with the estate.

The probate process in Alabama.

When a loved one passes away, it’s best to speak with a lawyer within the first few weeks after death to determine the steps to administer an estate. Those steps will be different depending on whether the person died testate (that is, he or she had a last will and testament), or if they died
intestate (that is, he or she did not have a last will and testament).

The estate administration process begins after a loved one passes away. You will need to gather important documents, determine if there is a last will and testament, and then speak with Tanya, a probate and estate administration attorney. She will file the appropriate paperwork to “open” the estate, someone will be appointed personal representative (a/k/a “executor”), and then that personal representative will be responsible for overseeing the administration of the estate. The personal representative may be named in the decedent’s will or appointed by a court if there is no will or designated personal representative.

What are the duties of a Personal Representative?

The overall primary duties of a personal representative, a/k/a executor, are:

1. probating the estate
2. asset inventory and valuation
3. notifying creditors and debt settlement
4. distribution of assets
5. filing estate taxes
6. final accounting and closing of estate

For more information about the duties of a Personal Representative, get my FREE Estate Planning Basics workbook by clicking HERE.

Will Contests and Estate Litigation

Sometimes, there are will contests or other litigation that arises from an estate. Whether you need to defend or challenge the administration of an estate, will, or trust, Tanya has extensive litigation experience and can assist you with that litigation.

Probate Lawyer Huntsville

Losing a loved one is hard. It is sometimes difficult to think clearly or perform daily functions after a loss. However, there are important time limits in estate administration, particularly if there is not a last will and testament, so don’t delay in speaking with Tanya, a probate and estate administration attorney. Tanya understands the intense grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one. It is okay to cry over your loss when speaking with her, so don’t delay in meeting with Tanya to discuss your next steps for estate administration.

Schedule your virtual appointment today. Click on the link below or call 256-361-1221.